 the contrary versus on the other hand. This lesson will help you learn the differences between on the contrary and on the other hand, so that you can use them correctly in speech and writing. Ready to begin? Students often get these phrases wrong. Perhaps they're just trying to use different words to be creative, but instead they create a situation that doesn't make sense. Here's an example of a common mistake. I might go to London on my next vacation. On the contrary, I would like to go to Rome. This is incorrect. What's wrong with this? On the contrary is not used to indicate contrast. It is used for emphasis. With on the contrary, we put two statements side by side to emphasize the second one. What seems like a contrast actually is not. Let's see how this is done. Look at the following example. First statement. It's not hot. Second statement. It's cold. Are these opposite statements? No, they aren't. They actually indicate the same thing. Not hot equals cold. Let's put it together. It's not hot. On the contrary, it's cold. This is correct usage. See how we are creating something that seems like a contrast, but in fact it's just emphasizing the same thing. It's not hot. On the contrary, it's cold. Here's another example. It doesn't have to be exactly the same thing. It can be something similar. I'm not stressed out. On the contrary, I'm calm or I'm excited to do this. This means something similar to not being stressed out. When using on the contrary, we usually start with a negative statement. That way we can emphasize the one that follows it. For example, I'm not tired at all. On the contrary, I'm full of energy. She's not going home after work. On the contrary, she's heading to the pub. Note, on the contrary is similar to actually or in fact, not on the other hand. We'll talk about that later. On the contrary is sometimes used in answers to questions. Are you still ill? Not at all. On the contrary, I'm feeling better than ever. Notice the seeming contrast between ill and feeling better. No, I'm not ill anymore. I'm feeling better now. Basically means the same thing. On the contrary makes a connection between two seemingly contradicting points of view in order to emphasize the second one. What about on the other hand? On the other hand is part of a discussion or decision-making process. We often use it to contrast different ideas or opinions. For example, I might go to Rome on my next vacation. On the other hand, I might go to London. This means I haven't decided yet. I'm still evaluating the pros and cons of each possibility. Let's look at this in more detail. Contrasting two possibilities or options. Should I go to Rome or London? Well, in London I can visit Buckingham Palace and the Tower Bridge. On the other hand, in Rome, I can visit the Coliseum and the Vatican. Oh, it's such a tough decision. Can, on the other hand, be used for more than two possibilities? Yes, it can. But don't overdo it. We only have two hands after all. Sometimes we can use, on the other hand, to go back to the previous idea. For example, we might start with option one and then use, on the other hand, to move on to option two. Then we can use, on the other hand, to come back to option one and we can go back and forth between option one and option two. Or we can use, on the other hand, to move on to option three and maybe option four. Sometimes we can use statements to limit the discussion to only two points. For example, on the one hand, I'd love to see the opera. On the other hand, tickets are really expensive. Should I spend the money or not? Time for practice. On the other hand or on the contrary. Indicate whether the transition phrase should be, on the other hand, or on the contrary. No, it can't be both. O-T-O-H means, on the other hand. O-T-C means, on the contrary. Complete these statements with the correct phrase. Feel free to pause the video if you'd like more time. Time for practice. On the other hand or on the contrary. Number one, I think I should go now. On the other hand, maybe I can stay for another drink. Two, I'm not leaving. On the contrary, I'm going to be here for another two more hours. Three, does Sheila like baseball? No. On the contrary, she hates it. Four, we could get ice cream. On the other hand, cake sounds tempting too. Five, candlelight in the window is a great movie. On the other hand, I haven't seen left in the lurch yet. Maybe we should try that one. One final note. This might help you remember the contrast between on the contrary and on the other hand. These phrases are not the same. On the contrary, they are different. They are not the same. In fact, they are different. The phrases may be different. On the other hand, they are easy to learn. Even though they are different, they are easy to learn. Hope that was helpful. If you liked or learned something new from this video, please give us a thumbs up. 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